Your suggestions for a scope for Bisley running deer competitions in the approximate category of 1-6x20 or 1-8x24?

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HandB

Well-Known Member
Hi Everyone,

I recently got a BSA Hunter 7x57 that I hope to use for running deer type competitions at Bisley. I therefore need a scope somewhere around the 1-6x20 or 1-8x24 specification, preferably with an illuminated reticle. The scopes in this category made by the elite manufacturers like Schmidt and Bender are eye-wateringly expensive new despite their small size (well over £2,000) but there are some reasonable looking and much more affordable scopes in this category made by companies Falcon and Hawke (see below). Does anyone have any thoughts as to what would be a good scope option for this type of shooting?

Thank you!


S8i 1-8x24i SFP Riflescope MRAD

uk.hawkeoptics.com

Frontier 30 1-6x24 L4A Dot

All models feature HawkeÕs new H7 optics with high zoom ratio, supreme clarity and light transmission. Supreme accuracy for rifle shooting, driven and hunting applications. Capped Low-Profile Turrets. 30mm Mono-Tube Chassis. Illumination. Wide Angle FOV. High Volume Eyebox. 100mm Eye Relief...
uk.hawkeoptics.com uk.hawkeoptics.com
 
A couple of weeks ago i bought a S&B Exos 1-8x 24 It has the CC setting so it can be used as a red dot sight. As said in the OP''s comments, very expensive. When i first looked at the they were far to much money for my pocket. My LGS had them on special offer but still to much dosh. Then they reduced them again and with the trade in on the scope that was already on the double rifle it cost me less than a third of the original price. I used it in anger during the week on a driven day. It works perfect.
The 7-8 power on the scope, i can't see any situation where i will ever use it so really a waste of time. I have a Meopta R1 1-4x22 on my Mauser that i like very much and they can be had at a good price. I use it a lot on the running moose range.
 
Before taking the plunge have a look on the BSRC website where there is an interesting paper “Shooting at MovingTargets” written by Bob Maddison, national moving target shooting coach. Lots of advice on equipment for 100m Running Deer target shooting etc. Red dots etc. do not get a great deal of praise. Good old tried and trusted fixed mag 6x42 seems to fit the bill.
 
These folks make specialist running target scopes, and probably the best glass I've seen, but they are a whole lot of cash

Nickel : High-End Riflescopes

Nickel Zielfernrohre 1-4x25, 1,5-6x42, 3-12x56, 8x56, 1,5-6x30 mit Leuchtabsehen Isodot, L1, L4d, L4c und Absehen 4
www.nickel-ag.com www.nickel-ag.com
 
caorach said:
These folks make specialist running target scopes, and probably the best glass I've seen, but they are a whole lot of cash

Nickel : High-End Riflescopes

Nickel Zielfernrohre 1-4x25, 1,5-6x42, 3-12x56, 8x56, 1,5-6x30 mit Leuchtabsehen Isodot, L1, L4d, L4c und Absehen 4
www.nickel-ag.com www.nickel-ag.com
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The 4 x 36 illuminated twin post looks superb. Did I miss the price on the spec or was it my sub conscious just overlooking it for fear of disappointment.
 
I use what ever I have on my stalking rifle , always been a x 56 30 tube ,mag as high as x 32 but turned down to x8 seems to work for me.
 
I'm not sure you'll need anything less than 4x at the low end, and after some practice even 12x will become usable. I've been using a Docter 2.5-10x50 with just an illuminated red dot as the reticle, and for me at least it's perfect. Before that I also found that the old German Reticle 1 (post plus side bars) works well, and wouldn't cost a great deal in a quality German used 6x42 or 8x56.
 
I have tried the 1-6 and 1-8x20 scopes. They are a compromise. They are quite if not too bulky, and when you zoom up you often get quite a distorted edge of picture.

i had a 1-6x20 Docter for a short time, but Traded it for a 1-40x20 Docter - a much nicer scope.

if you can find a little Leupold 1-4x20 on a 1” tube get it.
 
I have a bit of experience with these scopes, albeit less so on running boar targets. I have a Swaro 1-4x24 which is fitted on a 308 Stutzen and I have an S&B 6x42 bought from an SD member on the 243.

I used both on the H4H shoot at BSRC and on every session on the running deer target I shot a higher score with a long barrelled, moderated 243 with the 6x42 than with the 18” Stutzen with the running boar scope.

This may be due to factors other than the scope, perhaps the balance or weight of the longer rifle helped me track the target ( like a longer barrelled 20 bore) but the 6x42 not being a specialised , running game scope, didn’t matter at all.

I like the 1-4x24 and it is a light combination with the Stutzen but I have shot far more (stationary) deer since changing to the 6x42, as well as better shooting at running targets. And I also managed a running fox with the 6x42. In short, I don’t think you need a specialised scope like that for running targets and it makes the rifle more versatile having a basic 6x42.

However, I have never shot running boar ‘for reals’ , as the young folk say, and the closer ranges involved there than at bisley might make the specialised scope necessary.
 
Thanks very much everyone, that's fascinating - especially the Bob Maddison document. Funnily enough I have got a classic Swarovski Nova Habicht 6x42 on my T4 at the moment. The glass is great but the reticle is a bit thick for precision rifle use, so I think I will switch that to my BSA 7x57 and give it a try on running deer targets.
 
I believe you can buy a specialised scope with two reticules! One for each direction of travel of the target and the correct lead built in.
 
spannulman said:
However, I have never shot running boar ‘for reals’ , as the young folk say, and the closer ranges involved there than at bisley might make the specialised scope necessary.
Click to expand...
Honestly, the closer ranges don't make a specialised sight necessary: its just that the scope manufacturers want you to believe that!

My experience of driven boar in France is quite the opposite: at close ranges iron sights and swinging your rifle like a shotgun works far better.

I had the Leupold 1-4x20 on another rifle, but found it a bit disappointing: the light gathering was OK, but the magnification just a little low (for me) in woods.

Red dots are certainly good at shorter ranges, but you have to learn to shoot with both eyes open, both for quick target acquistion and, probably more importantly, for situational awareness, and hence safety (other guns, dogs etc).
 
spannulman said:
I have a bit of experience with these scopes, albeit less so on running boar targets. I have a Swaro 1-4x24 which is fitted on a 308 Stutzen and I have an S&B 6x42 bought from an SD member on the 243.

I used both on the H4H shoot at BSRC and on every session on the running deer target I shot a higher score with a long barrelled, moderated 243 with the 6x42 than with the 18” Stutzen with the running boar scope.

This may be due to factors other than the scope, perhaps the balance or weight of the longer rifle helped me track the target ( like a longer barrelled 20 bore) but the 6x42 not being a specialised , running game scope, didn’t matter at all.

I like the 1-4x24 and it is a light combination with the Stutzen but I have shot far more (stationary) deer since changing to the 6x42, as well as better shooting at running targets. And I also managed a running fox with the 6x42. In short, I don’t think you need a specialised scope like that for running targets and it makes the rifle more versatile having a basic 6x42.

However, I have never shot running boar ‘for reals’ , as the young folk say, and the closer ranges involved there than at bisley might make the specialised scope necessary.
Click to expand...

Would n't disagree with this at all. I have shot running boar targets with a fixed 6x42, and indeed shot my first proper running boar as it ran out a rape field across the stubble with a 6x42. Where a low power scope works well is at closer ranges and for snap shooting. But open sights are just as good. Some of my German friends shoot all their boar, both from high seats but also driven with a 3-9 or 4-12x 42 / 50/ 56 with the scope set on 6x. One regularly head shoots piglets and foxes straight through the ears with such a set up. I have seen him do it too many times for it to be a fluke. Mind you his government did pay for his shooting lessons - heaven knows how he ever hits anything with black sticky tape across his eyes!
 
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